6/24/2017                          What’s a Holy Ghost?

                 

Paul encountered twelve disciples on the road to Ephesus and as the talked, asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed (Acts 19:2) and paraphrasing their answer they said “What’s a Holy Ghost?”

What/Who is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life proceeds from the Father and the Son. (Niocene Creed, 381 AD)

The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters during creation (Gen. 1:2).  Father spoke words and it was the Holy Ghost Who carried those words into action. 

He is the breath of God

The Hebrew word generally associated with God’s Spirit is ruwach (Strong’s 7307) and the Greek word is pneuma (Strong’s 4151).  The Hebrew word neshamah (Strong’s 5397) a puff of breath or wind which refers to our soul, intellect, the human spirit, that which gives us animation.  And the Hebrew gava (Strong’s 1478) translates ‘ghost’, with the connation of breathing out with the idea of last breath.

Now, ruwach (Gen. 1:2) and pneuma (John14:17 and Acts 2:4), both translated ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’ mean ‘breath’ or ‘blast of air’ and, of course, these passages refer to God’s Spirit or the Holy Ghost. 

 The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2) thereby putting God’s words into action.  We also see God going before Israel as a cloud pillar by day and protecting their rear guard by night (Exod. 13:21) as a pillar of fire and, by the Red Sea, He says He’ll even fight for them (Exod. 14:14).

 Jesus tells His disciples that they shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon them (Acts 1:8).

 So the Holy Ghost is the power of God to put His Word into action, protect us and to indwell us,, giving us power to live this life for Him and to be witnesses to the world (Acts. 1:8)

John the Baptist prophecies the Holy Ghost

John said he indeed baptized with water for the remission of sins but one is coming after him who will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matt. 3:11).  John’s statement referenced the prophecy of Joel “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy … (Joel 2:28)”

Jesus Promises the Holy Ghost

I pray the Father that He will give you another comforter … even the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17)

But it is expedient I go … Comforter will not come, but if I leave, I will send Him to you (John 16:7-8).  Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Ghost is our comforter and that He is coming, expect Him.

Jesus Commands that we receive the Holy Ghost

Jesus not only tells us that the Holy Ghost is coming, but he puts a touch of importance on the event.  He tells His disciples “Receive the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22).  Now Jesus makes this comment later in the day, after His resurrection (the empty tomb).   Kenneth Hagin cites this as when the disciples actually received the indwelling of the HG.  Note the wording here ‘receive’, not ‘baptized with’ (Acts 1:4-5).  Note the distinction as we continue reading and comparing the baptism or infilling of the Holy Ghost.  Note Jesus also said ‘receive’.  He didn’t say ‘you might want to think about’, or ‘if you have time, consider it’.  This is a direct statement as to what the disciples should do – receive – a command, if you will.  Not an option.                  

How do we know the Holy Ghost has come?

So how do we know when the Holy Ghost comes.  He came over two thousand years ago.  On the day of Pentecost, the time celebrated for when the death angel passing over the children of Israel in Egypt just before Moses led them out, the disciples (120 of them) were all in one accord, in one place, in prayer when what sounded like a mighty rushing wind filled the room and cloven tongues of fire sat upon each one of them (Acts 2:15-18), that’s when they were filled with the Holy Ghost.  Since that time, it hasn’t been God giving us the Holy Ghost but us receiving Him (Acts 8:15, Acts 10:44, Acts 19:6).  Note that in Acts 10 & 19 ‘fell upon’ carries the idea of receiving.  If someone throw me a ball, I don’t have it unless I catch it or receive it.  The ball still exist and is coming at me, 

but if I want it, I have to catch it or receive it.

Distinction between indwelling and infilling

I’m saved so I have the Holy Ghost, right?  Yes, but not the fullness of what God has to offer.  Let’s take a look the indwelling, our salvation experience and the infilling, our experience with the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus Promises with Salvation, the indwelling

Ask in my name and I will do it, if you love me keep my commandments, I will pray Father will give you another Comforter who will abide with you forever, the Spirit of Truth … for He is with you but shall be in you (John 14:14-17).  Think ‘will be’.  So who is the original comforter?  Jesus!

He who drinks the water I give him shall never thirst, but it will be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).  A continuing source of life and that is what the Holy Ghost is for us which will transfer to Jesus when we are in eternity.  In the presence of God, we don’t need the infilling of the Holy Ghost anymore.  When Jesus walked with the disciples He gave them power (Luke 10:19).  So, until we’re living back in the literal presence of our Lord, the Holy Ghost give us the power to do what we need to.

We know that with salvation the Comforter, or the Holy Ghost, comes to live within us and as we live for the Father, through Jesus, The Holy Ghost confirms our salvation (1 John 5:13).

Peace be unto you, as My Father has sent Me, I send you, He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Ghost”, whosoever sins you remit, they are remitted, whose sins you retain, they are retained  (John 20:21-23).  Here Jesus has yet to promise the baptism or infilling as yet.     

We have the Holy Ghost, but we discover that there more to ‘just having’ the assurance of salvation.

Jesus Promises with Baptism of Holy Ghost, the infilling

Just before He ascends into heaven, Jesus promises that they shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-5) and when the Holy Ghost is come upon them, then they shall receive power and to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). 

Power are those rivers of living waters flowing in us and through us.  Jesus says that if a man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes on Me, as the scripture says, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters (John 7:37-39).  Our ‘thirst’ is our desire to draw closer to Jesus, to receive ALL that He has for us.  We receive, then those rivers of living waters flow back out to those around us, our witness, our testimony.         

Again this is the Holy Ghost abiding within us and there are certain benefits, but there is more to come.

How do I know I have the indwelling?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).  The indwelling truly immediately produces fruit with salvation, most notable joy and peace.  Think about your own salvation experience.  When I gave my heart to the Lord, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off from my shoulders.  I felt good.  No, like Tony the Tiger, I felt GRREEAAT!

The fruit of the Spirit is evident from salvation.  It may not happen all at once, but it should be growing in our hearts eventually expressing itself outward.  Joy seems to be there, right up front (John 20:20, Acts 13:52) with love becoming a growing part of the our lives – love me, keep My commandments (John 14:15), keep My commandments shows your love (John 15:10).  It’s a circle, we love Him, we desire to please Him.  As we please Him, He blesses us and our desire to love Him grows even more.

How do I know I have the infilling, Baptism?

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4)

AS Peter spoke … the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the Word … for those of the circumcision saw that Gentiles also received the gift of the Holy Ghost … for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God (Acts 10:44-46)

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?  We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Ghost (v4) … they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (v5), Paul laid hands upon them and the Holy Ghost came on them for they spoke with tongues and prophesied (v6) (Acts 19:1-6).

The scriptures tell us that out of the mouths of two or three witnesses every word is established (2 Corinth. 13:1).  In these passages, we have our witnesses that the initial, the first things observed with the baptism of the Holy Ghost is the speaking with ‘tongues’, our spiritual, heavenly language give to us from the Father (Romans 8:26).

Our salvation brought us joy and now that joy continues on to a greater level because now we have our spiritual language representing a new level of power God has put in us.  it is our direct communication with God.  Kind of like the old ‘hotline’ between Washington DC and Moscow, years ago, a direct line between our president and the USSR’s premier.  When we pray in the Spirit, we have a direct connect with our Father.  Read on.

Why do I want the baptism of the Holy Ghost?    

Part of Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:11 John, Acts 1:4-5 Jesus, Acts 1:8 power)

Jesus tells us to expect the Holy Ghost for He shall give us power and we have seen that He is our comforter (John 14:16).

Fruit of the Spirit                     love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23)

These qualities do exactly what they say and make it much more durable to live this life for God so we have favor with God and with man (Psalms 5:12)

Gifts of the Spirit                     Wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues  (1 Corinth. 12:1-31)

Also Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teacher (Eph. 4:11)

We know that gifts are given without repentance (Romans 11:29) and Satan can mimic some of what God does (he duplicated some of the plagues of God but the Egyptian magicians were stopped with the lice (Exod. 8:18-19).  That left seven plagues they couldn’t duplicate  But living in The Holy Spirit and being obedient to god’s will brings God’s blessings (John 15:7) to us.  Yes, we have to live for Christ, but a small price to pay for God’s power dwelling in us.

            

             Power to live this life

                        A Closer Walk            

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord … Noah was a just and perfect man in his time, Noah walked with God (Gen. 6:8-9).

I am the light of the world.  He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

Jesus promises to be with us.  In fact, He promises to never leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  What more could we ask?

                        

                        Better Communication 

The Spirit helps infirmities, for we don’t know how we should pray but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings (Strong’s 4726 or sighs) that 

can’t be uttered (Romans 8:26-27).

Speaking in an unknown tongue is not speaking to men, but unto God for no man understands him but in the Spirit, he speaks mysteries (1 Corinth. 14:2)

Eye has not seen nor ear heard, or has it entered into men’s hearts, the things God has prepared for them, for God reveals them to us through His Spirit for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God … which God gives freely (1 Corinth. 2:9-12)

We don’t always know what to say when we pray, so the Spirit prays for us (tongues).  He speaks mysteries that the world doesn’t understand, nor can because He speaks the deep things of God AND shares the with us through ‘revelation’.  Through prayer, through the word, even through the things around us.

            Guidance

The Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth for He doesn’t speak of Himself, but He speaks what He hears and He will show you things to come (John 16:13).

Jesus tells us that the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, shall teach you all things & bring them back to memory, those things I’ve said to you (John 14:26).

Don’t worry how to answer your adversaries for the Holy Ghost will teach you what to say (Luke 12:11-12).  Don’t be fearful, especially when confronted concerning our faith.  Why?

I will give you a mouth and wisdom and your enemies will not be able to argue nor resist (Luke 21:15)

How do I receive the Holy Ghost

Be Saved

If we confess Jesus with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved (Rom. 10:9)

If we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sins (be saved), we shall receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)

Paul encountered twelve men on the road to Ephesus and talking with them he realized that had only received John’s baptism for repentance. Paul baptized these men in the name of Jesus, laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-7)

Peter preached Jesus to Cornelius and his house and the Holy Ghost fell upon them as he preached and then they were baptized with water for repentance.  (Acts 10:44-48)

Cornelius’ family repented (unto salvation) and received the Holy Ghost while Peter preached, leaving  water baptism was just a ‘formality’

Right Heart with God (no ‘open’ sin)

            Repent (Acts 2:38)

We need to ask God to create a clean heart in us and renew (turn from our old ways) our spirit (Psalms 51:10)  (no ‘outstanding’ sins)

            Ask

Often we ask God for something, but for the wrong reason (James 4:2-3).

We need to ask God, seek it with all our heart and take action to receive, then it shall be opened (given) to us (Matt. 7:7).  The unjust judge gave the old woman her request because she didn’t give up after the first try (Luke 18:1-8)

Receive

When we pray for something, we need to believe that we will receive it and then we shall have it (Mark 11:24).

There are times we don’t have because we haven’t asked in Jesus’ name, ask in His name (John 14:13) and receive, He wants our joy may be full (John 16:24).

Demonstrate faith

We need to take action on what we believe we’ve received (James 2:17-18).  With the baptism of the Holy Ghost, we open our mouths and begin to speak letting the Holy Ghost give us utterance (Acts 2:4)

The initial evidence (first thing noted) of the Baptism or infilling of the Holy Ghost is speaking with the God-given tongue or language.  It is ‘tongues’ (glossa, Strong’s 1100), a language.  It is NOT ‘thoughts’.  It is spoken.  Just as God spoke and created everything (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 & 26 – ‘God said’).  We have to open our mouths and speak it out. When we were children and became hungry we didn’t go to mom, look intently at her and think ‘I’m hungry, please fix me a sandwich’.  For those who may have tried, it didn’t work very well, did it?  No, we opened our mouths and asked mom for the sandwich.

We see in Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 19:6 the initial evidence demonstrated is the speaking in tongues.  We seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost, this should be the first thing evidenced.

So just what or should I say WHO is the Holy Ghost?  The power of the eternal, living God living in us which gives us power to testify of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ AND to live this life to its fullest.  All we have to do is receive what Father has for us and then put our belief into action.

6-11-2017    The Power of the Cross

The power of the cross is supported by four pillars of belief.  Upon looking at these four pillars, I suspect someone is saying “OK, but where is faith?”  Okay, I’ll mention faith because nothing in Christianity works without faith.  These four pillars are rooted in faith for without faith, none of them will work – or even matter.  For it is by faith in Jesus that we obtain the grace of God (Rom. 5:1-2)  So It is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).  So, if you will, faith is not a pillar, but the very foundation in which these pillars are set.

By faith, we believe that the bible is the inspired Word of God (1 Tim. 3:16) profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  We believe that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence (proof) of things not seen (Heb. 1:1).  Through faith we believe that the worlds were framed (made, created) by God and He made everything that is out of (from) that which cannot be seen (Heb. 1:3, Gen. 1:2). 

We cannot ‘see’ faith, but we can see the results of what faith brings, so faith is the very foundation of these pillars and the pillars become the expression of our faith.

Pillar #1

In the beginning God … (Gen. 1:1).  By faith we accept the fact that God always is, always was and always shall be (Rev. 1:8).  If we ‘can’t’ believe that God is and can and will do all that He says He can and will, why do we even bother with Him?  Now, I put can’t in quotes because can’t really doesn’t exist.  Even we can do anything to which we put our mind (Gen. 11:6).  We may not be able to do it as well as some.  Maybe not even as effectively as others, but we can do it.  So ‘can’t’ really means ‘won’t’, for whatever the reason (fear, doubt, intimidation, etc.).  We can do what we put our minds to because God can do and will do all that He says (Num. 23:19, Rom. 4:21) and we are made in His image (Gen. 1:26).  So I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:13).  And of course, if we don’t believe that God can do what He says, in what does our hope of salvation truly lie?

We believe that God loves us enough, that even though Adam and Eve messed up (Gen. 3:1-24) and ‘booted’ them out of Eden and though He wouldn’t allow “sinners” to enjoy eternal life, He did provide a way to come back into His grace and love (1 John 2:1-2). 

God, the Father, is the husbandman who takes care of the vine (John 15:1-8).  The vine is God the Son, Jesus and we, the believers, are the branches in that vine producing righteous fruit as we live our lives according to God’s love.  (Don’t stop reading at verse ‘8’).  And as the husbandman, God, the Father, is the base of our cross, the support system for all things.  For even the Son has only done what He has seen of the Father (John 5:19-20).          

Pillar #2

In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1) and the Word was ‘with’ God and the Word ‘was’ God.  The Greek transliteration (Greek spelled with English Characters) is “En archē ēn ho Lógos, kaì ho Lógos ēn pròs tòn Theón, kaì Theòs ēn ho Lógos.”  With the translation as “In beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God, and God was the Word.”

As we read John Chapter one, we see that the Word was the Light of men and the light was made flesh and lived among us (John 1:14).  John (the Baptist) identifies Jesus as this light when he says “Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

So we see that Jesus, is the Son and the Word and He is one with the Father (John 1:1) and if this isn’t enough Jesus states in His prayer, in part) “Neither do I pray for these alone (the disciples), but for all who should believe on Me through their word, that they may be one, as You Father are in me and I in you, that they may be one with us. (John 17:20-21)”.  

Father and Son are one AND the Son (Jesus) is praying that we all may be one with Father and Son.   But then, our part is part of Pillar #4.

Not only do we believe that Jesus is God (the Father) come in the flesh, but that He indeed died for us on the cross, cleansing us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Things of the law are purged by blood and without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Heb. 9:22, Matt. 26:28) 

So, we know that if we confess Jesus with our mouth and believe within our hearts that God raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, we shall be saved (Romans 10:9).  But we also know that we need to confess our sins before God (John 1:9) and repent our transgressions against God that those sins might be blotted out (Acts 3:19).  After which, God will put those sins behind His back, out of sight (Isaiah 38:17).

Jesus is the Word of God and the Father and Son are one.  We know that Jesus Shed His blood on the cross (Col. 1:20) reconciling us to the Father so we know that He is the “only” way to the Father.  We know that He prayed for us so we (all true believers) could be one with Him and the Father, here in this world and forever.  He prayed that the Father would keep us from evil (John 17:15).  He will come back for He is preparing place for us (John 14:2-3)

Not only is Jesus the Word of God, ergo our Savior, but He is also the power and authority of God.  Father gave the Son power over all flesh (John17:1-2) to be authority and judge (John5:22-27, Acts 10:38-42)

So salvation cannot be obtained through anyone else but Jesus (Acts 4:10-12) because He is the way, the truth and the life, therefore no man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6)

Pillar #3

But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you (Acts 1:8).  This is ‘active’ power, not passive.  The power not just to believe, but to ‘do’.

How many of us have a power generator as a supplementary power source for our homes for when power goes out?  The Holy Ghost, or more specifically, the Baptism, or infilling, of the Holy Ghost is a renewable source of power for us to live this life (in this world) and to walk in God’s love. 

I rent so I don’t own a generator, but those who have power generators have done so as protection against power outages, so their homes can still function with power when others may be basking in the darkness.  They set it up, connect it to their electrical system and fuel the tank up.  Then it (the generator) waits for a power emergency.  When we receive Jesus into our lives, the Holy Ghost becomes our spiritual generator and is hooked up to our power system, our heart, our spirit and waits for us to activate Him.  But all too often, that’s where He sits. waiting for us to call.  He’s (the HG) there, He’s available and He’s waiting for us to call upon Him.  Too many of us may tap into this power source only in ‘dire’ emergency, nowhere else to turn.  We call upon Him when nothing else works.  Some of us have realized that He’s there to help and guide us and are taking advantage of His presence (PTL) on a regular basis.  And to take advantage of His presence, we do have to push the “on” button, don’t we?  And that’s what too many people don’t do.

Pushing that on button is ‘activating’ the Holy Ghost, yielding our lives over to Him so He is free to operate.  Remember, He is a gentleman and will not force Himself upon us.  We have to ask for His help, then yield to His direction.  Give Him the ‘reins’ of our lives.

Once we’ve pushed that on button to tap into His power, He fills us with His presence (the baptism or infilling) and the initial evidence of this is the heavenly language Father gives us.  WE can experience a degree power without the infilling of the Holy Ghost, for He does take up residence in us with our profession of faith.  But to get full charge, we need to be totally filled. Now, as with the generator, we access this power, we become drained the fuel tank will need refilling.  Remember the five foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-12). 

So how do we refuel our tank?  1) Read the bible so we can discover who God is, how He operates and the relationship He wants with us.  How can we now His will if we know nothing about Him?  (2 We pray, communication with our Lord.  Communication is a two-way street so not only do we set forth our concerns, requests and issues, but THEN we ‘zip the lip’ (quit talking) and listen to see what God has to say.  Because the Holy Ghost is inside (us), God answers us through our hearts, but as a friend of mine says , He may take us to the scriptures when we don’t hear his voice so clearly.  He will take us to the appropriate scripture for a given situation when we ask.  3) He may answer through other Christians.  Nothing wrong with taking the advice of others as long as that advice is consistent with scripture.  4) Or through the situations which we encounter.  Something will suddenly ‘click’ and we realize that the answer is right in front of our nose, in plain sight and again, it will be consistent with scripture.  Not necessarily book, chapter and verse, but in concept.  And 5) Praying always in the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), that’s using the spiritual language Father has given us.  No matter how He answers our prayers, the answer will always be in agreement, consistent with scripture.  

Praying ‘in the Spirit’ give us a ‘hotline’ to Jesus.  Like the phone that was in the White House, a direct connect from Washington to Moscow.  The president could pick up the phone and talk directly with (then) Russia’s premier.  No in-between overseas operators.  Our Spiritual language gives us that direct connect because our spirit is speaking directly to God via the Holy Ghost who understand the deep mysteries of God (1 Corinth. 2:10) and knows how to pray, when we don’t (Rom. 8:26).

When our tank is full, we empty it out by sharing with others what Father has shared with us (like this blog).  And when we feel our ‘spiritual’ tank running low, we fill it back up moving with the confidence that we can accomplish whatever it is that Father has given us to do.

We yield, listen then follow what the Holy Ghost tells because He is our source of power!  He helps us to communicate more perfectly with the Father and He gives us the power to not only do things as we live this life, but to magnify and glorify His Name (pillar #4).

And remember when The Spirit I alive and well within our hearts, we won’t call Jesus accursed, nor can we confess Jesus without the Holy Spirit motivating us (1 Corinth. 12:3)

Pillar #4

We worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24), for otherwise it is impossible to please God.  When we are not honest and sincere with our praise and worship, our efforts fall upon God’s deaf ears for He sees them as Cain’s offering (Gen. 4:3-5, Jude 11, Heb. 11:4,).  Our praise and worship should not be an afterthought or something through which we ‘think’ we may gain more favor (personal gain).  We come and worship our heavenly Father because we truly want to give back to Him for the goodness and grace He has shed upon our lives.  We should do it simply because we want to please Him.  There are no other Gods beside Him (Isaiah 45:5), so He desires us to worship Him with all our energies (Luke 10:27).  He tells us to have no other gods before Him (Exod. 20:3) and He will provide all that we need (Matt. 6:25-26).

My first girlfriend came in High School.  She took a shine to me (even today, I still don’t understand why), but she did.  One of her ‘classes’ was working in the school’s office, so she had access to information on all students.  She ‘checked me out’.  That is she gathered all the information about me that she could find in the school records.  She may have even talked with some of my friends.  Now, understand, I was always afraid of being turned down, so I did not take those chances in asking for dates back in those days.   So she did what she needed to do.  She asked me to a school dance.  She pursued me.  I was pretty ‘dense’ back in those days (some may argue any change since then) and where I should have been flattered ‘out of my gourd, I just took it in stride and said “OK.”  Back then and through much of my life, I’ve always taken whatever befell me in stride.

The point of sharing this is that she pursued me and this is an inkling as to how we should pursue God.  Learn all that’s available about Him so we can please Him and trust me, God will not receive our affection for Him as flippantly as I did hers.  And He will surely bless us for our efforts (1 Tim. 6:17).

I love Psalms 150.  The Psalm tells us to praise God with everything that we have available to us (horns, stringed instruments, tambourines, organs, etc.) and with all our energy and strength (dance, very breath- song).  With all that we are, giving Him our best (Luke 10:25-28).  And when we do it from our heart, the stage is set for a lot of good things to come our way (from Father).   

Praise and worshipping Father includes living for Him.  As Jesus tells us to be one with Him and the Father (John 17:21).  Being one with Him and pursuing Him with all that we are means being obedient to His word and will.  Of course, we have to seek what that is and that’s why we read the bible.  When we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15) and by keeping His commandments, Father and Son (the Holy Ghost is already inside, so the godhead) will abide with us (John 15:23).

In Summary

So we need to search Him out and discover those things which please Him in order to truly worship Him.  Then do so, with all that have and are.

So we have four pillars, Father, Son, Holy Ghost and praise & worship and what holds all this together is the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7) which cleanses us inside and out so we can have a 

relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

God, the Father, is our basis for all that is.

Father gave His life (through the Son) so we could obtain fellowship with Him, paving the way for the four pillars to be put into action with the blood being the interconnecting factor.  For God (the Father) so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  Had Jesus not shed His blood on the cross, we would still be living by our actions only and not by faith.  How could we truly please Father?  The blood brings meaning to our faith.

Jesus also promises us the Holy ghost who will give us power (Acts 1:8) and be in us (John 14:16-17).  We remember that when God created all things, He brought them out of nothing into existence by speaking words.  Then the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God carried those words into action as He moved upon the face of the waters.  The Hebrew word here is ruwach (Strong’s 7307) which means breath or wind.  The Greek eqjuivalent is pneuma (Strong’s 4151) which means breath or wind.  So, the breath of God carries His Word into action.

So with the Father and Son living in us, within our hearts, we also gain an extra dimension in praise and worship for we don’t always know how to pray so the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (we don’t know how to speak it) (Rom. 8:26-27).  In this way, we are able to praise God with our whole being.  In case you missed it (note the *) that trickle of red is the blood of Jesus. 

And we show our love for God by praising His Name and worshipping Him for all that He does, has done and will do for us.  And we offer that praise up with all our energy.

So, there are four pillars of the cross which establish a relationship with the Father, through the Son because the Holy Ghost is alive and well within our hearts.  Because of this, we give God all our adoration, praise and worship, thereby solidifying our relationship with Him.  And it’s all made possible through the blood of Jesus.

Amen